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Tag Archive: mortgage qualifying rate


Late Breaking News from OSFI on its New Stress Test

Important Clarifications… Here’s more of what you need to know about the new stress test rules, straight from the regulator: On the Need to Act Now 25.6% of uninsured mortgages originated between July and December 2020 had a “qualified TDS” above 43%, OSFI says. 44% is the limit, and for a healthy market you really want to see that number...

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OSFI Resumes Its Stress Test Review

For those who think the 4.79% minimum qualifying rate (mortgage “stress test” rate) is too strict, here’s a breaking update. Tweaks to the often-criticized “stress test” are back on the table. OSFI said today that it “will resume its policy work on the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages by issuing a new consultation tomorrow at noon (ET).” “OnJanuary 24,...

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The Mortgage Stress Test Loosens Up

Effective this week, it gets a little easier to buy a house or refinance. On Saturday, BMO and CIBC shaved 15 basis points off their posted 5-year fixed rates. That’s enough to drop the benchmark 5-year posted rate to 4.79%. Given regulators use this benchmark rate to calculate Canada’s minimum mortgage stress test, today’s cuts mean you’ll now need less...

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Canada’s Stress-Test Rate Falls. First Time in Three Years.

The most important rate in the mortgage industry has dropped. Better late than never. The benchmark posted 5-year fixed rate has fallen from 5.34% to 5.19%. It’s the firstchange since May 9, 2018. And it’s the first decrease since Sept. 7, 2016, despite a 106-basis-point nosedive in Canada’s 5-year bond rate since November 8. Why it Matters The benchmark rate...

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TD’s Mortgage Rate Gambit

Confusion and angst. That’s what TD caused with its 45-basis-point 5-year posted rate hike on Friday. But as it turns out, no other banks matched it, at least not yet. Unless you’re a TD customer,the bank’s gambit should have limited ill effects. Status Quo with the Stress Test TD’s monster move had no impact on themortgage qualifying rate(MQR) this week,...

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